Davidson Hospitality Group promotes several leaders across the company as part of Davidson's long-term growth plan.
"It's always special when we can announce the career progression of our team members," President and CEO Thom Geshay said in a statement. "Supporting our growth by promoting team members from within is the life blood of our company. A critical factor in our industry leading team member engagement and low turnover is our team-first philosophy of not just being a place to work, but a company where you can advance your career. It's the key ingredient to our culture."
Steve Margol, Davidson's chief investment officer, will transition to executive chairman, effective Jan. 1, 2025, coinciding with the transition of Davidson's current executive Cchairman and former CEO, John Belden, to chairman emeritus at the end of 2024.
In his role as executive chairman, Margol will focus on the successful launch of Davidson's strategic growth plan, working alongside Davidson executive leadership and ownership, and will continue to provide strategic oversight and guidance to both the company and the acquisitions and business development effort, with Jason Rabidoux overseeing day to day leadership of the team.
Jason Rabidoux, previously senior vice president within the acquisitions and business development team, has been promoted to executive vice president of acquisitions and business development. Since joining Davidson in 2013, Rabidoux has played an integral role in the growth of Davidson's portfolio of hotels and resorts. Under his leadership, the portfolio has grown by more than 50 hotels and resorts, with the team directly involved in over $2B in real estate acquisitions alongside Davidson's public and private partners.
Josie Strang, who joined Davidson in 2018 as a financial analyst on the acquisitions and business development team, has been promoted to vice president. In her new role, she will take on greater responsibility for new management and acquisition opportunities and will help to develop junior members of the team.
Paul Eckert, who joined as senior vice president of operations, has been promoted to executive vice president of operations, overseeing a portfolio of complex assets. In just over three years with Davidson, Eckert has demonstrated a superior ability to drive performance and build strong teams. In his new role, Eckert will focus on shaping and strengthening teams and processes for exceptional results within his portfolio.
Lucas Laidlaw, previously regional director of operations, has been promoted to regional vice president of operations, working within the portfolio led by Paul Eckert. As regional vice president, he will be directly responsible for results within his portfolio and will be joining the Curator Hotels & Resorts board.
Thomas Fraher, formerly area vice president of operations for the Florida region within Davidson Resorts, has been promoted to regional vice president of operations and will oversee the eastern region within Davidson Resorts. In his new role, Fraher is responsible for guiding the operation of multiple complex resorts in the Eastern United States.